Charles Amirkhanian interviews composer and music critic Virgil Thomson in a recording most likely made in the early or mid-1970s. Amirkhanian questions the elderly Thomson about his time in Paris studying with Nadia Boulanger, and about his friendships with such composers as George Antheil, Henry Brant, and Henry Cowell. The two also discuss how Virgil first met Gertrude Stein when Antheil asked him to join him for a dinner with the poet, and how she never really took a liking to the brash American pianist, but did strike up a lasting friendship and musical collaboration with Thomson. Also touched upon during this fascinating look back by one of the United States foremost music critics, is Thomson’s less then glowing opinions about the music of John Cage.

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